S. Pacific leaders to meet in Fiji

Associated Press

WELLINGTON, New Zealand » Fiji said yesterday it has agreed to host this year's meeting of South Pacific leaders, which had been cast in doubt after Tonga said it could not stage the event because its king is on his death bed and the meeting could interrupt national mourning.

The meeting -- an annual gathering of leaders from 14 island nations plus New Zealand and Australia to discuss issues including rising sea levels that threaten their homelands, fishing rights and foreign aid -- would now be held in the city of Nadi in Western Fiji on Oct. 25-26, a Foreign Ministry statement said.

It said Fiji had been asked to host the meeting, and Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase was happy to oblige.

Tongan Prime Minister Feleti Sevele said last week his country would not be able to host the meeting because of the illness of King Taufa'ahau Tupou IV, 88, who has been hospitalized in New Zealand for weeks with an undisclosed illness from which he is not expected to recover.

Tongans have been asked to pray for the monarch and otherwise prepare for his death, which will plunge the country into a traditional mourning period expected to last for months.

Fiji's acting Foreign Minister Tomasi Vuetilovoni said this year's meeting will review a report on deepening regional cooperation and make some key decisions, including how to consolidate 13 regional organizations into three major groups.

"Leaders will also consider a progress report on the regional trading arrangements and negotiations that are currently in progress," he said in the statement.

It also will consider a second, four-year term for the forum's secretary-general, former Australian diplomat Greg Urwin, or appoint a replacement, he said.

Qarase said a seven-minister Cabinet subcommittee had been appointed to organize details of the meeting, including funding. Australia and New Zealand have promised assistance.